Mexicali Jumps Out to 8-0 Lead and Beat Hermosillo 8-3

RICARDO SERRANO 2 FOR 4 WITH HOME RUN AND 4 RBIs

Although the Naranjeros out hit the Aguilas 11 to 10, they committed 4 errors and were just 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position. That is a .125 average in those situations and teams will not win games without clutch hitting. Mexicali, on the other hand, scored 4 times in the 2nd and added 4 more runs in the 4th to coast to the 8-3 win.

Staring with the 3rd inning, the Naranjeros had at least 1 runner on base in every inning but, with the exception of a 3 run 5th inning, they couldn't get the timely hits needed to bring runners home.

Ricardo Serrano Home Run

The Aguilas though scored their runs in bunches. Mexicali scored 4 runs in the 2nd inning all with 2 outs. Singles by David Harris and Xorge Carrillo set the stage for a Ricardo Serrano home run to right for 3 runs and Juan Perez scored on a fielding error later in the inning.

Mexicali would add 4 runs in the 4th on a walk, 3 consecutive singles, a force out, a wild pitch and 2 more singles to take the 8-0 lead. The Aguilas got 5 of their 10 hits in the game in that 4th inning barrage.

Estadio Sonora in Hermosillo was packed with 16,000 fans, there to witness the home opener for the Naranjeros. They left disappointed with the loss.

Sergio Mitre (1-0) pitched 5 innings for Mexicali giving up the 3 runs on 6 hits in getting the win. Scott Copeland (0-1) allowed 6 runs on 5 hits over 3 innings of work to take the loss.

Sergio Mitre

Obregon Bests Los Mochis 4-1

NATE REED SHUTS DOWN CANEROS ON 2 HITS OVER 5 INNINGS

The Caneros de Los Mochis scored a run in the bottom of the 3rd inning on a sac fly to center by Jay Gonzalez that scored Genaro Andrade to give the Caneros the early lead. That lead only lasted long enough for the Yaquis de Obregon to come to bat in the top of the 4th.

Nate Reed

John Nogowski led off the inning with a walk. The next batter, Corey Brown was hit by a pitch. Moises Gutierrez then singled to load the bases. After a mound visit by Los Mochis, Armando Araiza singled to score Nogowski. Juan Carlos Gamboa followed with a single to score Brown and Gutierrez and move Araiza to third. A ground ball double play to second scored Araiza and the Yaquis had a 4-1 lead and eventually the game.

Armando Ariaza

8,744 fans filled Estadio Emilio Ibarra Almeda in Los Mochis in hopes of starting the 2018-19 season with a win only to be disappointed as the home town heros fell to Obregon.

Nate Reed (1-0) picked up the win and Kyle Bird earned the save for Obregon. Luis Perez (0-1), responsible for all 4 Yaqui runs, took the loss for the Caneros.

These two teams will play again on Sunday the 14th of October but in Obregon this time in the home and away 2 game series of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico.

Luis Perez

Venados Score Late Top Charros 5-4

CHARROS OUT HIT BY MAZATLAN 13-5

Elian Leyva pitched well for the home Charros over 5 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits. The pitch he would like to have back though, was a 3 ball 2 strike fastball he threw to Anthony Giansanti. Giansanti hit that pitch deep to right for a 2 run home run that got Mazatlan on the board first with a 2-0 lead.

Elian Leyva

Jalisco responded with 4 runs in their half of the 2nd. Daric Barton both reached base safely on fielding errors by the Venados and Gabriel Gutierrez drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Darian Sandford singles to score a run. After a pop up for the second out, Manny Rodriguez waited out a walk to force in Vasquez with the second run. Japhet Amador lined a ground rule double to left to plate Gutierrez and Sandford as Jalisco took a 4-0 lead.

Mazatlan tied the game at 4 in the top of the 6th inning on singles by Edson Garcia, Brian Hernandez, Asael Sanchez (that scored Garcia) and Anthony Giansanti that plated Hernandez.

The Venados scored what turned out to be the winning run in the top of the 8th inning. Quincy Latimore singled to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice but by Asael Sanchez. Latimore scored when while attempting to steal third, the Charros third baseman misplayed the throw from Gutierrez. That gave Mazatlan the 5-4 lead and the eventual win.

Winning Run Scores on Error

Adrian Ramirez (1-0) picked up the win for Mazatlan and Evan Marshall pitched a perfect 9th inning to earn the save. Joe Colon (0-1) suffered the loss giving up the run in the 8th.

These two teams play again on Sunday the 14th of October although switching sites to Mazatlan for game 2 of their Liga Mexicana del Pacifico opening series.

Aguilas Top Naranjeros 3-0 in LMP Debut

JAVIER SOLANO DOMINANT IN OPENING GAME

Javier Solano

Javier Solano took the mound for the opening game of the Aguilas season in front of 17,000 fans at Estadio B-Air in Mexicali and put on quite a pitching exhibition.

Solano got the Naranjero's lead off batter to fly out to center and then struck out the next 8 batters to set the LMP record for consecutive strike outs. He would go on to strike out 12 of the first 18 batters he faced He gave up 2 hits, a double to Eric Young Jr. in the 4th and a single to Roberto Ramos in the 5th. Three Mayo relievers continued to overpower the Naranjeros, striking out 2 and holding Hermosillo scoreless over the final 3 innings. Jake Sanchez earned his first save of the year.

Mexicali scored a run on back-to-back doubles by Ricardo Serrano and Juan Perez in the 3rd inning to take a 1-0 lead.

Xorge Carrillo hit a lead off solo home run for the Aguilas in the 5th to increase to lead to 2-0. One out later, Juan Perez singled to left, went to third on a Daniel Castro single to right center and scored on a sac fly by Chuck Taylor for the 3-0 lead and eventually the game.

CJ Retherford, Xorge Carrillo and Juan Perez were all 2 for 4 for the Aguilas while Ricky Alvarez went 2 for 3.

Roberto Ramos and Jorge Flores were both 1 for 3 for the Naranjeros.

These two teams meet again on Sunday the 14th of October in Hermosillo.

Mayos Down Defending LMP Champion Tomateros 8-2

WIN FEATURED HOME RUNS AND GOOD PITCHING

The Mayos de Navajoa struck first, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 2nd inning, on their way to the 8-2 win over the reigning Liga Mexicana del Pacifico (LMP) Champion Tomateros de Culiacan.

Fernando Flores

With 1 out, Jovan Rosa singled to left and scored on a line drive home run to left by Fernando Flores. Diego Madero then doubled to left and scored on a Christian Zazueta single to give Navajoa a 3-0 lead.

The Mayos added a run in the top of the 3rd on a solo home run by Alonzo Harris.

Culiacan got a run back in the bottom of the 4th when Dylan Moore led off the inning being hit by a pitch. Joey Meneses drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Luis Cruz singled to score Moore that put the Tomateros on the board and cut the lead to 4-1.

Navajoa would score 3 more runs in the 5th and the pitching staff did the rest, holding the Tomateros to 1 run over the final 5 innings.

Marco Castillo (1-0) picked up the win in relief of starter Jose Oyervides while James Russell (0-1) gave up 6 runs on 7 hits, including the 2 home runs, in taking the loss.

The Mayos pounded out 13 hits with every starter except Max Ramirez getting at least 1 hit.

18,699 fans packed Estadio de los Tomateros in Culiacan hoping to see the home town team start their march back to an LMP Championship only to leave disappointed. These two teams will meet again on Sunday the 14th in Navajoa.

Oaxaca Rallies for 6-5 Win in 10 Innings Over Monterey

SAMAR LEYVA'S WALK OFF SINGLE DOES IN OBISPO AND SULTANES

Samar Leyva

The Sultanes de Monterrey appeared to be cruising toward victory in game 5 of the Serie del Rey in Oaxaca. Monterrey jumped out to a 5-1 led through the top of the 5th inning. The Sultanes had 10 hits, including 3 doubles, a triple and a home run by Ramiro Pena in those 5 innings. Meanwhile the Guerreros scratched out a run in the 1st before their offense went dark.

That all changes in the bottom of the 5th inning though. With one out, Alejandro Gonzalez reached base on a throwing error by the Sultane's shortstop, advancing to second. Erick Rodriguez singled to center to drive in Gonzalez. Jay Austin followed with a single, Rodriguez stopping at second. A double by Julian Ornelas scored Rodriguez. After a pitching change, Yuniesky Betancourt singled to bring home Austin. A ground ball to first, which the first baseman misplayed, scored Ornelas and the Guerreros had tied the game at 5.

Neither team scored the rest of the way and regulation ended with the score knotted at 5.

Monterrey would not score in the top of the 10th inning opening the door for Leyva's heroics. Wirfin Obispo, the Sultane's closer, opened the bottom of the 10th by catching Ornelas looking at strike three. Betancourt singled to left. Henry Urrutia struck out swinging for the second out. The 7,230 fans in Parque Eduardo Vasconcelos (and thousands watching at home) grew nervous with a runner on second and one out away from being eliminated from the quest for the Copa Zaachila.

Wirfin Obispo

With the Guerrero's pinch hitter Dustin Geiger at the plate, Betancourt stole second. Geiger drew a four pitch base on balls to put runners at first and second. Alan Sanchez, the next batter, also waited out a walk to load the bases. Samar Leyva then stroked his walk off single to left to plate Betancourt with the winning run.

Obispo took the loss for Monterrey, issuing 2 walks and giving up 2 singles in the 10th while Samuel Zazueta was the beneficiary of Leyva's heroics, allowing 3 hits over 2 innings of relief work for the Guerreros.

Monterrey still leads the Serie del Rey 3 games to 2 as both teams head to Monterrey for game 6 on Tuesday the 9th of October. Game 7 (if necessary) will be played in Monterrey on Wednesday the 10th.

Vamos aTucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta

Mexican Baseball returns to Tucson in October with the 8th Annual Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta.

There are 3 other sites in Arizona and Mexico that will be hosting games, Mesa and Douglas Arizona and Nogales, Mexico.

Four teams from the Liga Mexicana del Pacifica (LMP) will be participating in this year's event along with the Arizona Wildcats baseball team and the Young Stars of the Kansas City Royals. The Naranjeros de Hermosillo, Yaquis de Obregon, Caneros de Los Mochis and the Aguilas de Mexicali will represent the LMP.

The games kick off in Nogales the 22nd, 23rd and 28th of September, move to Mesa, AZ for games from the 28th through the 30th, switch ton Douglas, AZ on the 3rd and 4th of October and wind up in Tucson, at Kino Stadium, for games from the 4th through the 7th of October.

Rated as a Triple A baseball league by Major League Baseball, the teams from the LMP play exciting baseball. Having covered the league in Guadalajara, Mexico, I can attest to the fact that Mexicanos love their baseball. The 8 teams of the LMP averaged 7,722 fans per game. Pick any Triple A league in the US and see how their top 8 teams compare to that figure. Mascots on the field during play, hexes placed on opposing players by the fans, cheerleaders, crazy between innings games and no arguing with the umpires! If you love baseball, you have to love this pure baseball entertainment.

On Thursday, October 4th, the double header begins at 5 PM with the Aguilas taking on the YSKC. There is a $1 dollar beer promotion during this game. The 2nd game features the Arizona Wildcats taking on the Naranjeros.

Friday's double header, starting at 5:30 features the Aguilas against the Caneros in the 1st game and the Naranjeros facing off against the Yaquis in the nightcap. This is eegee's Kids Night with free tickets at eegees locations.

The Aguilas face the Caneros again in game 1 on Saturday the 6th at 5:30 with a repeat of the Narajeros versus the Yaquis in the 2nd game.

Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta winds up on Sunday the 7th of October with a double header on Family Day. There are $10 dollar Family Vouchers available at Vantage West locations throughout Tucson. The Yaquis face the Caneros in the opener while the Naranjeros take on the Aguilas in the nightcap.

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I would recommend this series of games to all of those who love baseball. You will not be disappointed.

There will be updates on the individual teams playing in the series  as the 4th of October arrives.

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Pericos de Puebla To Face The Toros de Tijuana in 2017 Serie Del Rey

PUEBLA TOPS YUCATAN WHILE TIJUANA DEFEATS MONTERREY

The 2016 Liga Mexican de Beisbol Champion Pericos de Puebla (56-54 on the year) took care of business against the Leones de Yucatan on Thursday night, defeating them 4-3 to win the Serie de Campeonato of the Zona Sur 4 games to 1.

Likewise, the Toros de Tijuana (76-34 overall) dispatched the Sultanes de Monterrey4 games to 1 to claim the Campeonato of the Zona Norte crown.

These two teams will meet for a best of 7 battle in the Serie Del Rey beginning with 2 games in Tijuana the 5th and 6th of September. The 7th of September is a travel day (The LMB web page lists it as  "Descanso", a day of rest. But the teams will be travelling to continue the series in Puebla for 3 games beginning on the 8th of September. Game 5 scheduled for the 10th of September is listed as an "if necessary" game.

Games 6 and 7, if necessary will be played in the stadium of the Toros de Tijuana.

Given that the Pericos finished the season with a 56-54 record and the Toros de Tijuan had a league leading best 76-34 record, one could assume that the Toros should wrap up this series in 4 games.

AH...but that is why we play the games! Season records can be tossed out the window. Any team can win a 7 game series if all the necessary pieces fall in place. Think of the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates who defeated the mighty NY Yankees despite being out scored 55-27. No one, and I mean no one gave the Pirates a chance against the Yankees.

Yogi Berra once said "Pitching always beats hitting - and vice versa". He was not too far off the mark. Just look at the post season record of Clayton Kershaw. The absolute best pitcher in the National League for the past few seasons, Kershaw has struggled mightily in the post season.

The Toros pitchers posted a league leading 3.52 ERA with 9 shutouts. They gave up the 4th fewest home runs (66) and posted the lowest WHIP at 1.28.

Conversely, the Pericos were 2nd in the league in hitting with a .305 average, 2nd in hits and 5th in the league in runs scored with 640.

The Puebla pitchers struggled all year (hence the 56-54 record) with a 5.02 ERA,good for 11th in the league, 5 shutouts and a WHIP of 1.58, 12th of 16 teams in the LMB.

The Toros hitting on the other hand had a batting average of .281, 9th in hits with 1043 and 4th in runs scored with 630.

So who wins? The statistics would give the edge to the Toros, although I am sure the Pericos would argue vehemently with you.

AH...but that is why we play the games! The 1960  Pittsburgh Pirates should never have beaten the Yankees.

My gut feeling is hat the Toros win in 6 games. But, I envision Puebla taking one of two games in Tijuana, sweeping the 3 games in Puebla and taking game 7 on the west coast of Mexico to repeat as Champions of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol for 2017.

Remember you heard it first here. But; if I'm wrong, remember the fan chant from the old Brooklyn Dodger days..."Wait 'til next year".

The Best Baseball Song Ever

Here is my favorite baseball song.

Listen to Los Tigrillos do it HERE!

Give me a better one and I'll change my mind!

Tomateros Win LMP Championship 4 Games To 1

TOP CHARROS 4-3 IN GAME 5

With the exception of the first game, where the Tomateros de Culiacan used an offensive explosion, they used very good pitching to shut down the Charros' potent offense. Culiacan outscored the Charros in the series 28-17. It is often said that good pitching wins over good hitting in a seven game series. That adage holds true for this series.

Culiacan started the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd. Sergio Gastelum led off with a single to right, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ramiro Pena and scored when Rico Noel singled to center. Maxwell Leon followed with a single that moved Noel to third. Leon stole second and both runners scored when Eric Farris singled to right. The Tomateros led 3-0 after three innings.

Issmael Salas homered to left for the Tomateros in the bottom of the 4th to stretch the Culiacan lead to 4-0.

The Charros got on the board in the top of the 5th when Marquez Smith hit a solo home run to left to lead off the inning. The Culiacan lead was 4-1.

Jalisco scored again in the 6th. With one out, Eduardo Arredondo drew a base on balls and went to third on a single by Manny Rodriguez. Leo Heras grounded into a 4-6 fielder's choice to drive in Arredondo and narrow the Tomateros lead to 4-2.

CJ Retherford pinch hit for Amadeo Zazueta to lead off the 8th inning for the Charros and hit a long home run to deep center field to bring the Charros to within a run at 4-3.

Oscar Villarreal pitch a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the Tomateros to pick up the save and preserve the win for the Culiacan starter, Anthony Vasquez. Marco Tovar took the loss for the Charros.

The season was an exciting one for the fans of the Charros. They finished with the best record in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico and Manny Rodriguez stands a very good chance to be named the MVP of the league. Japhet Amador tied for the league lead in home runs and led the league in RBIs. Congratulations on a fine season! Todos Somos Charros!

The Tomateros de Culiacan move on now to the Caribbean Baseball World Series to be played in Puerto Rico.  Congratulations to the Tomateros and the fans of the Charros wish you well in the World Series.